The programme, supported by the British Embassy in Belgrade, is designed in accordance with the needs and capacities of these local media outlets, and offers support in the field of promotion, technical improvement of the websites and mentoring of journalists and editors.

Twenty-six portals applied for the support programme, with each assessed on three sets of selection criteria:

editorial orientations, formats and dynamics of content publishing

technical and personnel capacities

positions on social networks and in the local community

After making their choice of winning applicants, the selection committee said that the selected local portals have the potential to develop a quality daily informative production in the next two years, and to become the primary source of information in their communities.

In addition, the programme aims to modernise local media outlets, help them to develop a social media strategy, and find a self-sustaining business model.